Digi Provides Interchangeable Wireless Networking Solution for RFID

Digi International the leader in Connectware, has announced its Digi Connect Wi-EMT wireless embedded module will be used by Genesta to add wireless networking functionality to the company's Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Genesta is quickly and easily adding wireless networking functionality to its RFID controller systems by exchanging the Digi Connect EMT, an embedded module for wired device networking, with the pin compatible and interchangeable Digi Connect Wi-EMT. RFID technology, often referred to as the next generation of bar coding, uses radio waves to automatically identify tagged items. It is expected to create significant inventory and labor cost savings for end users.

The Digi Connect EMT product allowed Genesta to develop a firmware-based RFID appliance to satisfy the requirements for EPC Global's Savant architecture for both supply chain and open system standards common in manufacturing. According to Bill Anderson, director of research and engineering at Genesta, "The Digi embedded module gave us the flexibility to connect to multiple vendors' RFID readers and host systems simultaneously."

"We chose the Digi Connect product family because it is easy to use, flexible and protects our technology investment by offering a straight forward and secure solution for both wired and wireless Ethernet network connectivity," said Kelson Elam, Managing Partner, Genesta. "The Digi Connect product line eliminated the need for separate wireless and wired development efforts which will speed time to market. It made the transition from wired to wireless very easy for us by simply exchanging the Digi Connect EMT with the Digi Connect Wi-EMT. Digi's offering also provides a technology migration path to an entirely chip-based solution as our production volumes grow."

The Digi Connect Wi-EMT was recently launched with the Digi Connect Wi-MET and adds wireless connectivity to the industry-leading Digi ConnectT family of products. The products are the industry's first fully customisable and secure 32-bit 802.11b wireless embedded modules and are based on 32-bit NET+ARM processor technology. The Digi Connect Wi-EM and Digi Connect Wi-ME are pin compatible and interchangeable with the Digi Connect wired embedded modules and provide manufacturers instant wireless functionality.

"The modules are an ideal solution for RFID technology manufacturers who demand secure wireless functionality," said Joel Young, vice president of engineering, Digi International. "Built-in support for standards-based and interoperable WPA security provides state-of-the-art over- the-air data protection and addresses the known weaknesses of basic WEP encryption. Other industries such as access control systems, point-of-sale systems, medical devices and industrial automation systems will also benefit greatly from this technology. Never before has it been easier for OEMs to add both wired and wireless networking capabilities to their devices."

The modules are also software compatible with existing Digi Connect products and NET+ARM processors. The entire Digi Connect family of products offers a straightforward migration to a chip-based solution as production volumes grow. This further reduces design cost by allowing customers to use previous software investment across multiple products.